FIRSTREGULARSESSION
HOUSEBILLNO.481
103RDGENERALASSEMBLY
INTRODUCEDBYREPRESENTATIVEHAUSMAN.
0166H.02I DANARADEMANMILLER,ChiefClerk
ANACT
Torepealsections452.705,452.730,452.885,and487.110,RSMo,andtoenactinlieu
thereofthirty-sevennewsectionsrelatingtotheprotectionofchildren,withpenalty
provisions.
BeitenactedbytheGeneralAssemblyofthestateofMissouri,asfollows:
SectionA.Sections452.705,452.730,452.885,and487.110,RSMo,arerepealedand
2thirty-sevennewsectionsenactedinlieuthereof,tobeknownassections452.705,452.730,
3452.885,452.1100,452.1102,452.1104,452.1106,452.1108,452.1110,452.1112,452.1114,
4452.1118,452.1120,452.1122,453.700,453.702,453.704,453.706,453.708,453.710,
5453.712,453.714,453.716,453.718,453.720,453.722,453.724,453.726,453.728,453.730,
6453.732,453.734,453.736,453.738,453.740,453.742,and487.110,toreadasfollows:
452.705.Asusedinsections452.700to452.930:
2 (1)"Abandoned"meansleftwithoutprovisionforreasonableandnecessarycareor
3supervision;
4 (2)"Child"meansanindividualwhohasnotattainedeighteenyearsofage;
5 (3)"Childcustodydetermination"meansajudgment,decree,orotherorderofacourt
6providingforthelegalcustody,physicalcustody,orvisitationwithrespecttoachild.The
7termincludesapermanent,temporary,initial,ormodificationorder.Thetermshallnot
8includeanorderrelatingtochildsupportorothermonetaryobligationofanindividual;
9 (4)"Childcustodyproceeding"meansaproceedinginwhichlegalcustody,physical
10custody,orvisitationwithrespecttoachildisanissue.Thetermincludesaproceedingfor
11divorce,separation,neglect,abuse,dependency,guardianship,paternity,terminationof
12parentalrights,andprotectionfromdomesticviolenceinwhichtheissuemayappear.The
EXPLANATION—Matterenclosedinbold-facedbrackets[thus] intheabovebillisnotenactedandis
intendedtobeomittedfromthelaw.Matterinbold-facetypeintheabovebillisproposedlanguage. 13termshallnotincludeaproceedinginvolvingjuveniledelinquency,contractualemancipation,
14orenforcementundersections452.850to452.915;
15 (5)"Commencement"meansthefilingofthefirstpleadinginaproceeding;
16 (6)"Court"meansanentityauthorizedunderthelawofastatetoestablish,enforce,
17ormodifyachildcustodydetermination;
18 (7)"Decree"or"custodydecree"meansacustodydeterminationcontainedina
19judicialdecreeorordermadeinacustodyproceeding,andincludesaninitialdecreeanda
20modificationdecree;
21 (8)"Homestate"meansthestateinwhichachildhaslivedwithaparentoraperson
22actingasaparentforatleastsixconsecutivemonthsimmediatelypriortothecommencement
23ofachildcustodyproceeding.Inthecaseofachildlessthansixmonthsofage,theterm
24meansthestateinwhichthechildhaslivedfrombirthwithanyofthepersonsmentioned.A
25periodoftemporaryabsenceofanyofthementionedpersonsispartofsuchperiod;
26 (9)"Initialdetermination"meansthefirstchildcustodydeterminationconcerninga
27particularchild;
28 (10)"Issuingcourt"meansthecourtmakingachildcustodydeterminationforwhich
29enforcementissoughtundersections452.700to452.930;
30 (11)"Issuingstate"meansthestateinwhichachildcustodydeterminationismade;
31 (12)"Litigant"meansaperson,includingaparent,grandparent,orstepparent,who
32claimsarighttocustodyorvisitationwithrespecttoachild;
33 (13)"Modification"meansachildcustodydeterminationthatchanges,replaces,
34supersedesorisotherwisemadeafterapreviousdeterminationconcerningthesamechild,
35whetherornotitismadebythecourtthatmadethepreviousdetermination;
36 (14)"Person"includesgovernment,agovernmentalsubdivision,agencyor
37instrumentality,oranyotherlegalorcommercialentity;
38 (15)"Personactingasaparent"meansaperson,otherthanaparent,who:
39 (a)Hasphysicalcustodyofthechildorhashadphysicalcustodyforaperiodofsix
40consecutivemonths,includinganytemporaryabsence,withinoneyearimmediatelypriorto
41thecommencementofachildcustodyproceeding;and
42 (b)Hasbeenawardedlegalcustodybyacourtorclaimsarighttolegalcustodyunder
43thelawofthisstate;
44 (16)"Physicalcustody"meansthephysicalcareandsupervisionofachild;
45 (17)"State"meansastateoftheUnitedStates,theDistrictofColumbia,PuertoRico,
46theUnitedStatesVirginIslands,oranyterritoryorinsularpossessionsubjecttothe
47jurisdictionoftheUnitedStates;
48 (18)"Warrant"meansanorderissuedbyacourtauthorizinglawenforcementofficers
49totakephysicalcustodyofachild;
HB481 2 50 (19)"Wrongfulremoval"meansthetakingofachildthatbreachesrightsof
51custodyorvisitationgivenorrecognizedunderthelawsofthisstate.
452.730.1.Acourtofthisstatemaycommunicatewithacourtinanotherstate
2concerningaproceedingarisingundersections452.700to452.930orarisingundersections
3452.1100to452.1122.
4 2.Thecourtmayallowthepartiestoparticipateinthecommunication.Iftheparties
5arenotabletoparticipateinthecommunication,thepartiesshallbegiventheopportunityto
6presentfactsandlegalargumentsbeforeadecisiononjurisdictionismade.
7 3.Acommunicationbetweencourtsonschedules,calendars,courtrecords,and
8similarmattersmayoccurwithoutinformingtheparties.Arecordneednotbemadeofsuch
9communication.
10 4.Exceptasprovidedinsubsection3ofthissection,arecordshallbemadeofthe
11communication.Thepartiesshallbeinformedpromptlyofthecommunicationandgranted
12accesstotherecord.
13 5.Forthepurposesofthissection,"record"meansinformationthatisinscribedona
14tangiblemedium,orthatwhichisstoredinanelectronicorothermediumandisretrievablein
15perceivableform.Arecordincludesnotesortranscriptsofacourtreporterwholistenedtoa
16conferencecallbetweenthecourts,anelectronicrecordingofatelephonecall,a
17memorandumoranelectronicrecordofthecommunicationbetweenthecourts,ora
18memorandumoranelectronicrecordmadebyacourtafterthecommunication.
452.885.1.(1)Uponthefilingofapetitionseekingenforcementofachildcustody
2determination[, thepetitionermayfile]withaverifiedapplicationfortheissuanceofa
3warranttotakephysicalcustodyofthechildoruponthefilingofapetitionundersections
4452.1100to452.1122,thecourtmayissueanexpartewarranttotakephysicalcustody
5ofthechildifthecourtfinds,uponreviewofthepetitionorverifiedapplicationorupon
6thetestimonyofthepetitionerorotherwitnesses,thatthechildislikelytosufferserious
7imminentphysicalharmorthereisacredibleriskthatthechildisimminentlylikelyto
8sufferwrongfulremoval[fromthisstate].
9 (2)Priortoissuingawarrantinresponsetoapetitionfiledundersections
10452.1100to452.1122andbeforedeterminingtheplacementofthechildafterthe
11warrantisexecuted,thecourtmayorderasearchoftherelevantdatabasesofthe
12NationalCrimeInformationCentersystemandsimilarstatedatabasestodetermineif
13thepetitionerorrespondenthasahistoryofdomesticviolence,stalking,orchildabuse
14orneglect.
15 2.[Ifthecourt,uponthetestimonyofthepetitionerorotherwitnesses,findsthatthe
16childislikelytosufferseriousimminentphysicalharmorbeimminentlyremovedfromthis
17state,thecourtmayissueawarranttotakephysicalcustodyofthechild.Thepetitionshallbe
HB481 3 18heardonthenextjudicialdayafterthewarrantisexecuted.Thewarrantshallincludethe
19statementsrequiredundersubsection2ofsection452.870.
20 3.]Awarranttotakephysicalcustodyofachildshall:
21 (1)Recitethefactsuponwhicha[conclusion] determinationofseriousimminent
22physicalharmoracredibleriskofimminentwrongfulremovalfromthejurisdictionis
23based;
24 (2)Directlawenforcementofficerstotakephysicalcustodyofthechildimmediately;
25[and]
26 (3)Statethedateandtimeforthehearingonthepetition;
27 (4)Provideforthesafeinterimplacementofthechildpendingfurtherorderofthe
28courtorfinalrelief; and
29 (5)Includethestatementsrequiredundersubsection2ofsection452.870ifa
30warrantisissuedinresponsetoapetitionseekingenforcementofachildcustody
31determination.
32 [4.]3.Therespondentshallbeservedwiththepetition,warrantandorder
33immediatelyafterthechildistakenintophysicalcustody.
34 4.Therespondentshallbeaffordedanopportunitytobeheardattheearliest
35possibletimeaftertheexpartewarrantisexecutedbutnolaterthanthenextjudicial
36dayunlessahearingonthatdateisimpossible.Inthatevent,thecourtshallholdthe
37hearingonthefirstjudicialdaypossible.
38 5.Ifthecourtfinds,afterahearing,thatapetitionersoughtawarrantunder
39subsection1ofthissectionforthepurposeofharassmentorinbadfaith,thecourtmay
40awardtherespondentreasonableattorney'sfees,costs,andexpenses.
41 [5.]6.Awarranttotakephysicalcustodyofachildisenforceablethroughoutthis
42state.Ifthecourtfindsonthebasisofthetestimonyofthepetitionerorotherwitnessthata
43lessintrusiveremedyisnoteffective,thecourtmayauthorizelawenforcementofficersto
44enterprivatepropertytotakephysicalcustodyofthechild.Ifrequiredbytheexigencyofthe
45case,thecourtmayauthorizelawenforcementofficerstomakeaforcibleentryatanyhour.
46 [6.]7.Thecourtmayimposeconditionsontheplacementofachildtoensurethe
47appearanceofthechildandthechild'scustodian.
48 8.Thissectiondoesnotaffecttheavailabilityofreliefallowedunderthelawsof
49thisstateotherthansections452.700to452.930andsections452.1100to452.1122.
452.1100.Sections452.1100to452.1122maybecitedasthe"UniformChild
2AbductionPreventionAct".
452.1102.Insections452.1100to452.1122:
2 (1)"Abduction"meansthewrongfulremovalorwrongfulretentionofachild;
HB481 4 3 (2)"Child"meansanunemancipatedindividualwhoislessthaneighteenyears
4ofage;
5 (3)"Childabductionpreventionmeasures"meansmeasuresandconditionsthat
6arereasonablycalculatedtopreventtheabductionofachild,includingprovisionsof
7subsections3,4,and5ofsection452.1114,andothermeasuresthatthecourtdeems
8appropriatetopreventtheabductionofachild;
9 (4)"Child-custodydetermination"meansajudgment,decree,orotherorderof
10acourtprovidingforthelegalcustody,physicalcustody,orvisitationwithrespecttoa
11child.Thetermincludesapermanent,temporary,initial,andmodificationorder;
12 (5)"Childcustodyproceeding"meansaproceedinginwhichlegalcustody,
13physicalcustody,orvisitationwithrespecttoachildisatissue.Thetermincludesa
14proceedingfordivorce,dissolutionofmarriage,separation,neglect,abuse,dependency,
15guardianship,paternity,terminationofparentalrights,orprotectionfromdomestic
16violence;
17 (6)"Court"meansanentityauthorizedunderthelawofastatetoestablish,
18enforce,ormodifyachild-custodydetermination;
19 (7)"Petition"includesamotionoritsequivalent;
20 (8)"Record"meansinformationthatisinscribedonatangiblemediumorthat
21isstoredinanelectronicorothermediumandisretrievableinperceivableform;
22 (9)"State"meansastateoftheUnitedStates,theDistrictofColumbia,Puerto
23Rico,theUnitedStatesVirginIslands,oranyterritoryorinsularpossessionsubjectto
24thejurisdictionoftheUnitedStates.ThetermincludesafederallyrecognizedIndian
25tribeornation;
26 (10)"Traveldocument"meansrecordsrelatingtoatravelitinerary,including
27traveltickets,passes,reservationsfortransportation,oraccommodations.Theterm
28doesnotincludeapassportorvisa;
29 (11)"Warrant"meansanorderissuedbyacourtauthorizinglawenforcement
30officerstotakephysicalcustodyofachild;
31 (12)"Wrongfulremoval"meansthetakingofachildthatbreachesrightsof
32custodyorvisitationgivenorrecognizedunderthelawofthisstate;
33 (13)"Wrongfulretention"meansthekeepingorconcealingofachildthat
34breachesrightsofcustodyorvisitationgivenorrecognizedunderthelawofthisstate.
452.1104.Sections452.730,452.735,and452.820oftheuniformchildcustody
2jurisdictionandenforcementactapplytocooperationandcommunicationsamong
3courtsinproceedingsundersections452.1100to452.1122.
HB481 5 452.1106.1.Acourtonitsownmotionmayorderabductionprevention
2measuresinachildcustodyproceedingifthecourtfindsthattheevidenceestablishesa
3credibleriskofabductionofthechild.
4 2.Apartytoachildcustodydeterminationoranotherindividualorentity
5havingarightunderthelawofthisstateoranyotherstatetoseekachildcustody
6determinationforthechildmayfileapetitionseekingabductionpreventionmeasuresto
7protectthechildundersections452.1100to452.1122.
8 3.Aprosecutororpublicauthoritydesignatedundersection452.910mayseeka
9warranttotakephysicalcustodyofachildundersection452.885orotherappropriate
10preventionmeasures.
452.1108.1.Apetitionundersections452.1100to452.1122maybefiledonlyina
2courtthathasjurisdictiontomakeachildcustodydeterminationwithrespecttothe
3childatissueundersections452.700to452.930.
4 2.Acourtofthisstatehastemporaryemergencyjurisdictionundersection
5452.755ifthecourtfindsacredibleriskofabduction.
452.1110.Apetitionundersections452.1100to452.1122mustbeverifiedand
2includeacopyofanyexistingchildcustodydetermination,ifavailable.Thepetition
3mustspecifytheriskfactorsforabduction,includingtherelevantfactorsdescribedin
4section452.1112.Subjecttosubsection5ofsection452.780,ifreasonablyascertainable,
5thepetitionmustcontain:
6 (1)Thename,dateofbirth,andsexofthechild;
7 (2)Thecustomaryaddressandcurrentphysicallocationofthechild;
8 (3)Theidentity,customaryaddress,andcurrentphysicallocationofthe
9respondent;
10 (4)Astatementofwhetheraprioractiontopreventabductionordomestic
11violencehasbeenfiledbyapartyorotherindividualorentityhavingcustodyofthe
12child,andthedate,location,anddispositionoftheaction;
13 (5)Astatementofwhetherapartytotheproceedinghasbeenarrestedfora
14crimerelatedtodomesticviolence,stalking,orchildabuseorneglect,andthedate,
15location,anddispositionofthecase;and
16 (6)Anyotherinformationrequiredtobesubmittedtothecourtforachild
17custodydeterminationundersection452.780.
452.1112.1.Indeterminingwhetherthereisacredibleriskofabductionofa
2child,thecourtshallconsideranyevidencethatthepetitionerorrespondent:
3 (1)Haspreviouslyabductedorattemptedtoabductthechild;
4 (2)Hasthreatenedtoabductthechild;
HB481 6 5 (3)Hasrecentlyengagedinactivitiesthatmayindicateaplannedabduction,
6including:
7 (a)Abandoningemployment;
8 (b)Sellingaprimaryresidence;
9 (c)Terminatingalease;
10 (d)Closingbankorotherfinancialmanagementaccounts,liquidatingassets,
11hidingordestroyingfinancialdocuments,orconductinganyunusualfinancial
12activities;
13 (e)Applyingforapassportorvisaorobtainingtraveldocumentsforthe
14respondent,afamilymember,orthechild;or
15 (f)Seekingtoobtainthechild'sbirthcertificateorschoolormedicalrecords;
16 (4)Hasengagedindomesticviolence,stalking,orchildabuseorneglect;
17 (5)Hasrefusedtofollowachildcustodydetermination;
18 (6)Lacksstrongfamilial,financial,emotional,orculturaltiestothestateorthe
19UnitedStates;
20 (7)Hasstrongfamilial,financial,emotional,orculturaltiestoanotherstateor
21country;
22 (8)Islikelytotakethechildtoacountrythat:
23 (a)IsnotapartytotheHagueConventionontheCivilAspectsofInternational
24ChildAbductionanddoesnotprovidefortheextraditionofanabductingparentorfor
25thereturnofanabductedchild;
26 (b)IsapartytotheHagueConventionontheCivilAspectsofInternational
27ChildAbductionbut:
28 a.TheHagueConventionontheCivilAspectsofInternationalChildAbduction
29isnotinforcebetweentheUnitedStatesandthatcountry;
30 b.Isnoncompliantaccordingtothemostrecentcompliancereportissuedbythe
31UnitedStatesDepartmentofState;or
32 c.Lackslegalmechanismsforimmediatelyandeffectivelyenforcingareturn
33orderundertheHagueConventionontheCivilAspectsofInternationalChild
34Abduction;
35 (c)Posesariskthatthechild'sphysicaloremotionalhealthorsafetywouldbe
36endangeredinthecountrybecauseofspecificcircumstancesrelatingtothechildor
37becauseofhumanrightsviolationscommittedagainstchildren;
38 (d)Haslawsorpracticesthatwould:
39 a.Enabletherespondent,withoutduecause,topreventthepetitionerfrom
40contactingthechild;
HB481 7 41 b.Restrictthepetitionerfromfreelytravelingtoorexitingfromthecountry
42becauseofthepetitioner’ssex,nationality,maritalstatus,orreligion;or
43 c.Restrictthechild'sabilitylegallytoleavethecountryafterthechildreaches
44theageofmajoritybecauseofachild'ssex,nationality,orreligion;
45 (e)IsincludedbytheUnitedStatesDepartmentofStateonacurrentlistofstate
46sponsorsofterrorism;
47 (f)DoesnothaveanofficialUnitedStatesdiplomaticpresenceinthecountry;or
48 (g)Isengagedinactivemilitaryactionorwar,includingacivilwar,towhichthe
49childmaybeexposed;
50 (9)Isundergoingachangeinimmigrationorcitizenshipstatusthatwould
51adverselyaffecttherespondent'sabilitytoremainintheUnitedStateslegally;
52 (10)HashadanapplicationforUnitedStatescitizenshipdenied;
53 (11)Hasforgedorpresentedmisleadingorfalseevidenceongovernmentforms
54orsupportingdocumentstoobtainorattempttoobtainapassport,avisa,travel
55documents,aSocialSecuritycard,adriver’slicense,orothergovernment-issued
56identificationcardorhasmadeamisrepresentationtotheUnitedStatesgovernment;
57 (12)Hasusedmultiplenamestoattempttomisleadordefraud;or
58 (13)Hasengagedinanyotherconductthecourtconsidersrelevanttotheriskof
59abduction.
60 2.Inthehearingonapetitionundersections452.1100to452.1122,thecourt
61shallconsideranyevidencethattherespondentbelievedingoodfaiththatthe
62respondent'sconductwasnecessarytoavoidimminentharmtothechildorrespondent
63andanyotherevidencethatmayberelevanttowhethertherespondentmaybe
64permittedtoremoveorretainthechild.
452.1114.1.Ifapetitionisfiledundersections452.1100to452.1122,thecourt
2mayenteranorderthatmustinclude:
3 (1)Thebasisforthecourt'sexerciseofjurisdiction;
4 (2)Themannerinwhichnoticeandopportunitytobeheardweregiventothe
5personsentitledtonoticeoftheproceeding;
6 (3)Adetaileddescriptionofeachparty'scustodyandvisitationrightsand
7residentialarrangementsforthechild;
8 (4)Aprovisionstatingthataviolationoftheordermaysubjectthepartyin
9violationtocivilandcriminalpenalties;and
10 (5)Identificationofthechild'scountryofhabitualresidenceatthetimeofthe
11issuanceoftheorder.
12 2.If,atahearingonapetitionundersections452.1100to452.1122oronthe
13court'sownmotion,thecourtafterreviewingtheevidencefindsacredibleriskof
HB481 8 14abductionofthechild,thecourtshallenteranabductionpreventionorder.Theorder
15mustincludetheprovisionsrequiredbysubsection1ofthissectionandmeasuresand
16conditions,includingthoseinsubsections3,4,and5ofthissection,thatarereasonably
17calculatedtopreventabductionofthechild,givingdueconsiderationtothepotential
18harmtothechildfromanabduction,thelegalandpracticaldifficultiesofreturningthe
19childtothejurisdictionifabducted,andthereasonsforthepotentialabduction,
20includingevidenceofdomesticviolence,stalking,orchildabuseorneglect.
21 3.Anabductionpreventionordermayincludeoneormoreofthefollowing:
22 (1)Animpositionoftravelrestrictionsthatrequirethatapartytravelingwith
23thechildoutsideadesignatedgeographicalareaprovidetheotherpartywiththe
24following:
25 (a)Thetravelitineraryofthechild;
26 (b)Alistofphysicaladdressesandtelephonenumbersatwhichthechildcanbe
27reachedatspecifiedtimes;and
28 (c)Copiesofalltraveldocuments;
29 (2)Aprohibitionoftherespondentdirectlyorindirectly:
30 (a)Removingthechildfromthisstate,theUnitedStates,oranothergeographic
31areawithoutpermissionofthecourtorthepetitioner'swrittenconsent;
32 (b)Removingorretainingthechildinviolationofachildcustody
33determination;
34 (c)Removingthechildfromschoolorachildcareorsimilarfacility;or
35 (d)Approachingthechildatanylocationotherthanasitedesignatedfor
36supervisedvisitation;
37 (3)Arequirementthatapartyregistertheorderinanotherstateasa
38prerequisitetoallowingthechildtotraveltothatstate;
39 (4)Withregardtothechild'spassport:
40 (a)Adirectionthatthepetitionerplacethechild'snameintheUnitedStates
41DepartmentofState'sChildPassportIssuanceAlertProgram;
42 (b)Arequirementthattherespondentsurrendertothecourtorthepetitioner's
43attorneyanyUnitedStatesorforeignpassportissuedinthechild'sname,includinga
44passportissuedinthenameofboththeparentandthechild;and
45 (c)Aprohibitionupontherespondentfromapplyingonbehalfofthechildfora
46neworreplacementpassportorvisa;
47 (5)Asaprerequisitetoexercisingcustodyorvisitation,arequirementthatthe
48respondentprovide:
HB481 9 49 (a)TotheUnitedStatesDepartmentofStateOfficeofChildren'sIssuesandthe
50relevantforeignconsulateorembassy,anauthenticatedcopyoftheorderdetailing
51passportandtravelrestrictionsforthechild;
52 (b)Tothecourt:
53 a.Proofthattherespondenthasprovidedtheinformationinparagraph(a)of
54thissubdivision;and
55 b.Anacknowledgmentinarecordfromtherelevantforeignconsulateor
56embassythatnopassportapplicationhasbeenmade,orpassportissued,onbehalfofthe
57child;
58 (c)Tothepetitioner,proofofregistrationwiththeUnitedStatesEmbassyor
59otherUnitedStatesdiplomaticpresenceinthedestinationcountryandwiththeCentral
60AuthorityfortheHagueConventionontheCivilAspectsofInternationalChild
61Abduction,ifthatConventionisineffectbetweentheUnitedStatesandthedestination
62country,unlessoneofthepartiesobjects;and
63 (d)Awrittenwaiverunder5U.S.C.Section552aofthePrivacyActof1974,as
64amended,withrespecttoanydocument,application,orotherinformationpertainingto
65thechildauthorizingitsdisclosuretothecourtandthepetitioner;and
66 (6)Uponthepetitioner'srequest,arequirementthattherespondentobtainan
67orderfromtherelevantforeigncountrycontainingtermsidenticaltothechildcustody
68determinationissuedintheUnitedStates.
69 4.Inanabductionpreventionorder,thecourtmayimposeconditionsonthe
70exerciseofcustodyorvisitationthat:
71 (1)Limitvisitationorrequirethatvisitationwiththechildbytherespondentbe
72superviseduntilthecourtfindsthatsupervisionisnolongernecessaryandorderthe
73respondenttopaythecostsofsupervision;
74 (2)Requiretherespondenttopostabondorprovideothersecurityinan
75amountsufficienttoserveasafinancialdeterrenttoabduction,theproceedsofwhich
76maybeusedtopayforthereasonableexpensesofrecoveryofthechild,including
77reasonableattorneys'feesandcostsifthereisanabduction;and
78 (3)Requiretherespondenttoobtaineducationonthepotentiallyharmfuleffects
79tothechildfromabduction.
80 5.Topreventimminentabductionofachild,acourtmay:
81 (1)Issueawarranttotakephysicalcustodyofthechild;
82 (2)Directtheuseoflawenforcementtotakeanyactionreasonablynecessaryto
83locatethechild,obtainreturnofthechild,orenforceacustodydeterminationunder
84sections452.1100to452.1122orthelawofthisstateotherthansections452.1100to
85452.1122;or
HB481 10 86 (3)Grantanyotherreliefallowedunderthelawofthisstateotherthansections
87452.1100to452.1122.
88 6.Theremediesprovidedinsections452.1100to452.1122arecumulativeanddo
89notaffecttheavailabilityofotherremediestopreventabduction.
452.1118.Anabductionpreventionorderremainsineffectuntiltheearliestof:
2 (1)Thetimestatedintheorder;
3 (2)Theemancipationofthechild;
4 (3)Thechild'sattainingeighteenyearsofage;or
5 (4)Thetimetheorderismodified,revoked,vacated,orsupersededbyacourt
6withjurisdictionundersections452.740,452.745,and452.750andapplicablelawofthis
7state.
452.1120.Inapplyingandconstruingsections452.1100to452.1122,
2considerationmustbegiventotheneedtopromoteuniformityofthelawwith
3respecttoitssubjectmatteramongstatesthatenactit.
452.1122.Sections452.1100to452.1122modify,limit,andsupersedethefederal
2ElectronicSignaturesinGlobalandNationalCommerceAct,15U.S.C.Section7001,et
3seq.,butdonotmodify,limit,orsupersedeSection101(c)oftheact,15U.S.C.Section
47001(c),orauthorizeelectronicdeliveryofanyofthenoticesdescribedinSection103(b)
5ofthatact,15U.S.C.Section7003(b).
453.700.Sections453.700to453.740maybecitedasthe"UniformUnregulated
2ChildCustodyTransferAct".
453.702.Insections453.700to453.740:
2 (1)"Child"meansanunemancipatedindividualundereighteenyearsofage;
3 (2)"Child-placingagency"meansapersonwithauthorityunderotherlawof
4thisstatetoidentifyorplaceachildforadoption.Thetermdoesnotincludeaparentof
5thechild;
6 (3)"Custody"meanstheexerciseofphysicalcareandsupervisionofachild;
7 (4)"Intercountryadoption"meansanadoptionorplacementforadoptionofa
8childwhoresidesinaforeigncountryatthetimeofadoptionorplacement.Theterm
9includesanadoptionfinalizedinthechild'scountryofresidenceorinastate;
10 (5)"Parent"meansanindividualrecognizedasaparentunderotherlawofthis
11state;
12 (6)"Person"meansanindividual,estate,businessornonprofitentity,public
13corporation,governmentorgovernmentalsubdivision,agency,orinstrumentality,or
14otherlegalentity;
15 (7)"Record"meansinformation:
16 (a)Inscribedonatangiblemedium;or
HB481 11 17 (b)Storedinanelectronicorothermediumandretrievableinperceivableform;
18 (8)"State"meansastateoftheUnitedStates,theDistrictofColumbia,Puerto
19Rico,theUnitedStatesVirginIslands,oranyotherterritoryorpossessionsubjecttothe
20jurisdictionoftheUnitedStates.ThetermincludesafederallyrecognizedIndiantribe.
453.704.Sections453.700to453.740donotapplytocustodyofanIndianchild,
2asdefinedinSection4(4)oftheIndianChildWelfareActof1978,25U.S.C.Section
31903(4),asamended,totheextentcustodyisgovernedbytheIndianChildWelfareAct
4of1978,25U.S.C.Sections1901through1963,asamended.
453.706.Insections453.706to453.716:
2 (1)"Guardian"meansapersonrecognizedasaguardianunderotherlawofthis
3state;
4 (2)"Intermediary"meansapersonthatassistsorfacilitatesatransferof
5custodyofachild,whetherornotforcompensation.
453.708.Sections453.706to453.716donotapplytoatransferofcustodyofa
2childbyaparentorguardianofthechildto:
3 (1)Aparentofthechild;
4 (2)Astepparentofthechild;
5 (3)Anadultwhoisrelatedtothechildbyblood,marriage,oradoption;
6 (4)Anadultwho,atthetimeofthetransfer,hadacloserelationshipwiththe
7childortheparentorguardianofthechildforasubstantialperiod,andwhomthe
8parentorguardianreasonablybelieves,atthetimeofthetransfer,tobeafitcustodian
9ofthechild;
10 (5)AnIndiancustodian,asdefinedinSection4(6)oftheIndianChildWelfare
11Actof1978,25U.S.C.Section1903(6),asamended,ofthechild;or
12 (6)Amemberofthechild'scustomaryfamilyunitrecognizedbythechild's
13indigenousgroupunderotherlawofthisstate.
453.710.1.Exceptasprovidedinsubsection2ofthissection,aparentor
2guardianofachildoranindividualwithwhomachildhasbeenplacedforadoption
3maynottransfercustodyofthechildtoanotherpersonwiththeintent,atthetimeofthe
4transfer,toabandontherightsandresponsibilitiesconcerningthechild.
5 2.Aparentorguardianofachildoranindividualwithwhomachildhasbeen
6placedforadoptionmaytransfercustodyofthechildtoanotherpersonwiththeintent,
7atthetimeofthetransfer,toabandontherightsandresponsibilitiesconcerningthe
8childonlythrough:
9 (1)Adoptionorguardianship;
10 (2)Judicialawardofcustody;
11 (3)Placementbyorthroughachild-placingagency;
HB481 12 12 (4)Otherjudicialortribalaction;or
13 (5)Safeplacefornewbornsactof2002undersection210.950.
14 3.Apersonmaynotreceivecustodyofachild,oractasanintermediaryina
15transferofcustodyofachild,ifthepersonknowsorreasonablyshouldknowthe
16transferviolatessubsection1ofthissection.Thisprohibitiondoesnotapplyifthe
17person,assoonaspracticableafterthetransfer,notifiesthechildren'sdivisionofthe
18transferortakesappropriateactiontoestablishcustodyundersubsection2ofthis
19section.
20 4.ViolationofthissectionisaclassBmisdemeanor.
21 5.Violationofsubsection1ofthissectionisnotestablishedsolelybecausea
22parentorguardianthattransferscustodyofachilddoesnotregaincustody.
453.712.1.Ifthechildren'sdivisionhasareasonablebasistobelievethata
2personhastransferredorwilltransfercustodyofachildinviolationofsubsection1of
3section453.710,thechildren'sdivisionmayconductahomevisitasprovidedbyother
4lawofthisstateandtakeappropriateactiontoprotectthewelfareofthechild.
5 2.Ifthechildren'sdivisionconductsahomevisitforachildadoptedorplaced
6throughanintercountryadoption,thechildren'sdivisionsshall:
7 (1)Prepareareportonthewelfareandplanforpermanentplacementofthe
8child;and
9 (2)ProvideacopytotheUnitedStatesDepartmentofState.
10 3.Sections453.700to453.740donotpreventthechildren'sdivisionfromtaking
11appropriateactionunderotherlawofthisstate.
453.714.1.Apersonmaynotsolicitoradvertiseto:
2 (1)Identifyapersontowhichtomakeatransferofcustodyinviolationof
3subsection1ofsection453.710;
4 (2)Identifyachildforatransferofcustodyinviolationofsubsection3ofsection
5453.710;or
6 (3)Actasanintermediaryinatransferofcustodyinviolationofsubsection3of
7section453.710.
8 2.ViolationofthissectionisaclassBmisdemeanor.
453.716.Alawenforcementagencymayinvestigateapossibleviolationof
2sections453.706to453.714andtakelegalactionasprovidedbylawofthisstate.
453.718.Insections453.718to453.732,"prospectiveadoptiveparent"meansan
2individualwhohasbeenapprovedorpermittedunderotherlawofthisstatetoadopta
3child.
453.720.Sections453.718to453.732applytoplacementforadoptionofachild
2who:
HB481 13 3 (1)Hasbeenorisinfosterorinstitutionalcare;
4 (2)Previouslyhasbeenadoptedinastate;
5 (3)Hasbeenorisbeingadoptedunderthelawofaforeigncountry;
6 (4)Hascomeoriscomingtoastatefromaforeigncountrytobeadopted;or
7 (5)IsnotacitizenoftheUnitedStates.
453.722.Withinareasonabletimebeforeachild-placingagencyplacesachild
2foradoptionwithaprospectiveadoptiveparent,theagencyshallprovideorcausetobe
3providedtotheprospectiveadoptiveparentgeneraladoptioninformation.The
4informationmustaddress:
5 (1)Possiblephysical,mental,emotional,andbehavioralissuesconcerning:
6 (a)Identity,loss,andtraumathatachildmightexperiencebefore,during,or
7afteradoption;and
8 (b)Achildleavingfamiliartiesandsurroundings;
9 (2)Theeffectthataccesstoresources,includinghealthinsurance,mayhaveon
10theabilityofanadoptiveparenttomeettheneedsofachild;
11 (3)Causesofdisruptionofanadoptiveplacementordissolutionofanadoption
12andresourcesavailabletohelpavoiddisruptionordissolution;and
13 (4)Prohibitionsundersections453.710and453.714.
453.724.1.Exceptasprohibitedbyotherlawofthisstate,withinareasonable
2timebeforeachild-placingagencyplacesachildforadoptionwithaprospective
3adoptiveparent,theagencyshallprovideorcausetobeprovidedtotheprospective
4adoptiveparentinformationspecifictothechildthatisknowntoorreasonably
5obtainablebytheagencyandmaterialtotheprospectiveadoptiveparent’sinformed
6decisiontoadoptthechild.Theinformationmustinclude:
7 (1)Thechild'sfamily,cultural,racial,religious,ethnic,linguistic,and
8educationalbackground;
9 (2)Thechild'sphysical,mental,emotional,andbehavioralhealth;
10 (3)Circumstancesthatmightadverselyaffectthechild'sphysical,mental,
11emotional,orbehavioralhealth;
12 (4)Thechild'smedicalhistory,includingimmunizations;
13 (5)Themedicalhistoryofthechild'sgeneticparentsandsiblings;
14 (6)Thehistoryofanadoptiveorout-of-homeplacementofthechildandthe
15reasontheadoptionorplacementended;
16 (7)Thechild'sUnitedStatesimmigrationstatus;
17 (8)Medical,therapeutic,andeducationalresources,includinglanguage-
18acquisitiontraining,availabletotheadoptiveparentandchildafterplacementfor
HB481 14 19adoptionoradoptiontoassistinrespondingeffectivelytophysical,mental,emotional,
20orbehavioralhealthissues;and
21 (9)Availablerecordsrelevanttotheinformationinsubdivisions(1)through(8)
22ofthissubsection.
23 2.If,beforeanadoptionisfinalized,additionalinformationundersubsection1
24ofthissectionthatismaterialtoaprospectiveadoptiveparent'sinformeddecisionto
25adoptthechildbecomesknowntoorreasonablyobtainablebythechild-placingagency,
26theagencyshallprovidetheinformationtotheprospectiveadoptiveparent.
27 3.If,afteranadoptionisfinalized,additionalinformationundersubsection1of
28thissectionbecomesknowntothechild-placingagency,theagencyshallmakea
29reasonableefforttoprovidetheinformationtotheadoptiveparent.
453.726.1.Achild-placingagencyplacingachildforadoptionshallprovideor
2causetobeprovidedtotheprospectiveadoptiveparentguidanceandinstruction
3specifictothechildtohelppreparetheparenttorespondeffectivelytoneedsofthechild
4thatareknowntoorreasonablyascertainablebytheagency.
5 2.Theguidanceandinstructionundersubsection1ofthissectionmustaddress,
6ifapplicable:
7 (1)Thepotentialeffectonthechildof:
8 (a)Apreviousadoptionorout-of-homeplacement;
9 (b)Multiplepreviousadoptionsorout-of-homeplacements;
10 (c)Trauma,insecureattachment,fetalalcoholexposure,ormalnutrition;
11 (d)Neglect,abuse,drugexposure,orsimilaradversity;
12 (e)Separationfromasiblingorsignificantcaregiver;and
13 (f)Adifferenceinethnicity,race,orculturalidentitybetweenthechildandthe
14prospectiveadoptiveparentorotherchildoftheparent;
15 (2)Informationavailablefromthefederalgovernmentontheprocessforthe
16childtoacquireUnitedStatescitizenship;and
17 (3)Anyothermatterthechild-placingagencyconsidersmaterialtothe
18adoption.
19 3.Theguidanceandinstructionundersubsection1ofthissectionmustbe
20provided:
21 (1)ForadoptionofachildresidingintheUnitedStates,areasonabletimebefore
22theadoptionisfinalized;or
23 (2)Foranintercountryadoption,inaccordancewithfederallaw.
453.728.Onrequestofachildwhowasplacedforadoptionorthechild's
2adoptiveparent,thechild-placingagencyplacingthechildorthechildren'sdivision
3shallprovideinformationabouthowtoobtainfinancialassistanceorsupportservices:
HB481 15 4 (1)Toassistthechildorparenttorespondeffectivelytoadjustment,behavioral
5health,andotherchallenges;and
6 (2)Tohelppreservetheplacementoradoption.
453.730.1.Alawenforcementagencymayinvestigateanallegationthatachild-
2placingagencyhasfailedtocomplywithsections453.718to453.732andcommencean
3actionforinjunctiveorotherrelieforinitiateanadministrativeproceedingagainstthe
4child-placingagencytoenforcesections453.718to453.732.
5 2.Thechildren'sdivisionmayinitiateaproceedingtodeterminewhethera
6child-placingagencyhasfailedtocomplywithsections453.718to453.732.Ifthe
7children'sdivisionsfindsthatthechild-placingagencyhasfailedtocomply,the
8children'sdivisionmaysuspendorrevoketheagency'slicenseortakeotheraction
9permittedbylawofthisstate.
453.732.Thechildren'sdivisionmayadoptrulesunderchapter536to
2implementsections453.722,453.724,and453.728.
453.734.Inapplyingandconstruingthisuniformact,acourtshallconsiderthe
2promotionofuniformityofthelawamongjurisdictionsthatenactit.
453.736.Sections453.700to453.740modify,limit,orsupersedetheElectronic
2SignaturesinGlobalandNationalCommerceAct,15U.S.C.Section7001etseq.,as
3amended,butdonotmodify,limit,orsupersede15U.S.C.Section7001(c),orauthorize
4electronicdeliveryofanyofthenoticesdescribedin15U.S.C.Section7003(b).
453.738.1.Sections453.706to453.716applyto:
2 (1)AtransferofcustodyonorafterAugust28,2025;and
3 (2)SolicitingoradvertisingonorafterAugust28,2025.
4 2.Sections453.718to453.732applytoplacementofachildforadoptionmore
5thansixtydaysafterAugust28,2025.
453.740.Ifaprovisionofsections453.700to453.740oritsapplicationtoa
2personorcircumstanceisheldinvalid,theinvaliditydoesnotaffectanotherprovision
3orapplicationthatcanbegiveneffectwithouttheinvalidprovision.
453.742.Sections453.700to453.740supplementtheprovisionsunderthis
2chapterandchapter210forthetransferofcustodyofachild.Totheextentthe
3provisionsunderthischapterorchapter210areinconsistentwithsections453.700to
4453.740,theprovisionsofsections453.700to453.740controlregardingthetransferof
5custodyofachild.
HB481 16 487.110.Theuniformchildcustodyjurisdictionandenforcementact,asenactedin
2sections[452.440to452.550] 452.700to452.930, shallapplytoallchildcustody
3proceedings, asdefinedinsection452.705,inthefamilycourt.
✔
HB481 17